Performing Common Military Exercises

While my background is in having served in the United States Army, the military exercises in this article are common across all military branches worldwide. You may find significant differences when comparing them to other strengthening techniques used in the civilian population but they all have a fundamental commonality in that they are designed to engage particular muscle groups at particular times. It is with the following exercises that you can incorporate into your weekly workout routines which will then help you develop your ability to perform even more complex movements in the future.

Push-up: A push-up has many different titles and can have an even wider array of positioning. The push-up I mention here is the traditional form where you are face down on the ground with both palms directly in front of you on the floor, shoulder width apart. Keep the tips of your toes on the ground and form a straight line with your entire body from your head to your feet. Push your entire body off of the ground until you have extended your arms fully. Take care not to injure yourself by locking your elbows - you have gone too far if you are in this position on the upward movement. On the way down, go far as you can but keep the angle of your body to your forearms perpendicular so that your form is not compromised.

Sit-up: The sit-up is also the traditional form where you are on your bottom, legs bent at the knee. Intertwine your fingers behind your head and from a laying position bring your upper body upright. Try to keep your back erect during your movement use your abdominal muscles to perform the motion instead of just swinging your body using your legs.

Run: Running may be an optimal way to achieving overall fitness. When running, be sure to maintain proper posture by keeping your back straight. Imagine an invisible string attached to your chest; your are being pulled by this string while at the same time you are trying to keep up - do no over emphasize this movement.

As with any exercise, you may perform modified versions of these exercises so as to prevent injury. An example to this would be to perform push-ups while on your knees - be sure to have an exercise mat handy for your knees. For the sit-up, make sure your yoga mat is thick enough to protect your tail bone or you can try crunches instead. For running, you can reduce your pace by jogging or walk briskly - you may even find that power-walking could be an invigorating alternative. In some cases, a pull-up can be included into your fitness routine but be sure to always perform each exercise with proper form and sufficient mental thought so that you engage each particular muscle group for maximum effectiveness. While many of these exercises appear to be easy to perform, be sure to consult with a licensed physician before beginning any exercise routine. Take care of yourself!